20060321 :::
 

Big Al came in today. He needed a bit of cash, so I cashed a cheque for him (with instructions not to deposit until next week, of course). Was happy to do it. Big Al's a big old hippy, who trekked his way all around the world & somehow wound up here. He grew up in small-town America, volunteered to go to Vietnam, somehow damaged his leg (he still cannot walk very far) & was declared 4-F. After that, he spent a couple of decades roaming before finally settling here. He's actually been here longer than me. Anyway, Big Al's telling me about his visit with his son--his son just finished his 2nd (& supposedly last) tour of duty in Iraq. Al's very proud of him: "Don't tell me you can't both oppose the war & support the troops" he growls out. His son was a medic, & had it a bit rough in the field: he just got off of anti-depressents & is still in counseling. Al feels a bit of remorse that he didn't get to do his time, but his son made him feel better about missing out on the 'Nam. Some things are just too big to grab at once.

On a lighter note, we have this Italian postman--jokey, affable, & until recently intensely lonely. He was as regular as a geyser, & just the most sensible of men. However, he has met himself a widow with some unconventional ideas, & he's turned into the Marquis de Sade. Our regular daily chats are no longer about motorcyle repairing & have ventured into the esoteric. It's not that I'm not happy for him, just haven't figured out how to tell him in a nice way that I don't need so much detail. He started telling my girl Friday all about his new love & their recreations when I was out last week, & she got nauseous (she said). He's a handsome man, in very good shape for his age (late 50s), & has been threatened by jealous husbands before...not actually because he did anything, but because they knew his wives enjoyed chatting with him.

It's a cold, dreary day here. Cancelled all outdoor operations for today.

::: at 13:50

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